Pages

Artist Statement

Artist Bio/statement

My passion for creating is deeply rooted as I was raised in a large and creative family near Powell River, BC where my Mother introduced us to many engaging crafts during the rainy season. As a child I would draw in beach sand or into leather hard mud with a stick after the rain created wonderful hard-pack drawing tablets. Give me a brown paper bag and I would turn it into a colorful crayola creation fit for the Gods; Fire Gods that is, as my parents needed the bags to light the alder wood in the old stove that heated the house on damp coastal mornings. I continued to draw any subject I could, be it from a magazine, a photo or coercing my younger brother to sit and pose for me.

Throughout life, my art though diverse, tends to lean towards naturalism. I paint portraits of birds, animals and people as well as florals and landscapes. My media is acrylic, watercolor, chalk pastels, or alternative mono-print techniques such as nature-prints. I actively read, study art and most recently began creating textile hangings combining my photographs and digital paintings pigment printed onto fabric embellished with found objects.

As a mature student I attended the University of Calgary graduating in 2002 having been granted a “Degree with Distinction” in visual arts.

Over the years I have been involved in many art exhibitions as well as shared my artistic interests by teaching visual arts through city programs in Camrose, Calgary, Hinton, AB, and Manitoba. A few years ago the severity of Ehler-Danlos Syndrome a rare genetic soft connective tissue disorder that causes severe painful joint dislocations or sub laxations forced me to give up teaching.

I become immersed in the purposeful act of painting as it is meditative and a way to create and share colorful joy of Creations beauty with others. I persevere searching out new ways to depict Gods grace and beauty in the world around us.

I continue to be an active showing member of Emmaus Art Group in Calgary though I now reside in Edmonton, AB.I have been recently juried into SWCA as an active member. (Update, I resigned from being a member of SWCA upon my third year as I believe that arts groups are meant to be inclusive and foster each others growth.)

About Me

Hello and welcome to my fine art and photography blog where I hope to inspire awe of the natural world. Where you get to slow down and enjoy the gifts of Creation, especially the winged ones. Venture with me as I create from my experiences of traversing Alberta Canada with my camera to capture birds and wildlife and turn the images into works of art. And please do leave me a note of encouragement via comments, thank you.